Surgical rib cutter and methods thereof

ABSTRACT

A surgical rib cutter is disclosed. The surgical rib cutter includes a housing defining one or more guide slots. The surgical rib cutter also includes an anterior arm unit comprising an anterior effector configured to interact with an anterior side of a rib. The surgical rib cutter further includes a posterior arm unit comprising a posterior effector configured to interact with a posterior side of said rib. The surgical rib cutter also has an actuator movable relative to the housing and operationally coupled to at least one of the anterior and posterior arm units to move said at least one of the anterior and posterior arm units within at least one of the one or more guide slots to create a relative movement between the anterior and posterior arm units, said relative movement causing one of the anterior effector or the posterior effector to create a green stick break in said rib.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/092,222 filed Dec. 15, 2014 and entitled “MINIMALLYINVASIVE SURGICAL TOOLS AND METHODS THEREOF”. The entire 62/092,222specification is hereby incorporated in its entirety.

FIELD

The claimed invention relates to rib cutting devices, and morespecifically to surgical rib cutting devices for minimally invasivesurgery.

BACKGROUND

Advances in cardiac surgery have enabled open heart and less-invasivemethods for a wide variety of cardiac surgical procedures such as heartvalve replacements or repairs. In many of these procedures, it is oftennecessary to retract tissue and bones in order to provide access to asurgical site. For example, in a sternotomy, where a vertical inlineincision is made along the sternum, after which the sternum is dividedor “cracked”, a large sternum retractor, such as retractor 30 of FIG.1A, is used to force the cracked sternum apart, providing access to theheart 32. This type of sternum retractor 30 has jaws 34, 36 which openin a single plane. While a sternotomy provides excellent access to theheart 32, the procedure is highly invasive and is associated with a highdegree of post-operative pain and long recovery times for patients.

With advances in minimally invasive cardiac approaches, surgeons havebeen able move away from sternotomies for many procedures. For example,one favored approach to access the heart is to use a right anteriorthoracotomy (a much smaller incision in the chest wall). The thoracotomyis often made between two adjacent ribs, and it is often necessary tospread those ribs apart to create an access window for the surgery. Thiscan be done with a smaller version of the single plane style retractorshown in FIG. 1A, or, in some cases, with hand-manipulated retractors38, 40 such as are shown in FIG. 1B. Hand manipulated retractors 38, 40require an extra person's pair of hands, which may crowd the operatingarea around the patient. Hand retractors 38, 40 are also difficult tomaintain in an open position over an extended period of time due.Therefore, a mechanical rib retractor may be favored over thehand-retractors, since it provides steady sustained retraction and mayreduce operator fatigue and even the need for an additional person inthe operating room.

Unfortunately, traditional thoracotomies, made through adjacent ribs,often do not provide enough access for certain types of cardiacprocedures. While surgical instruments such as fiber optic scopes,forceps, cutting tools, and suturing tools may fit relatively wellthrough a thoracotomy between adjacent ribs, replacement heart valvesand their holders often do not (even when the adjacent ribs are spreadapart with existing retractors). As a result, for many cardiacprocedures, the thoracotomy often requires resection or removal of ribsin order to provide additional room for larger items, such as areplacement heart valve. While transection with or without reattachmentof a rib can be less traumatic than a sternotomy, it would still bedesirable to avoid excessive rib mobilization in order to provide lesspost-operative pain and quicker recovery times for patients.

Several other types of rib retractors have been developed in order totry to provide a larger access space between adjacent ribs. Beforedescribing these retractors, however, it is helpful to considerdifferent orientations of human anatomy so that the motion and operationof the refractors can be compared and contrasted according to how theymove relative to the anatomy. Accordingly, human body 42 locationreferences are illustrated in FIG. 2. Three anatomical planes areillustrated, dividing the body 42 into different sectors. The sagittalplane 44 divides into a left portion 46 and a right portion 48. Thecoronal plane 50 divides into an anterior (front) portion 52 and aposterior (back) portion 54. The transverse plane 56 divides into anupper portion 58 and a lower portion 60. A direction towards the head 62may generally be referred to as a cephalad direction, while a directiontowards the lower end of the spine 64 may generally be referred to as acaudad direction. Therefore, an axis running approximately in adirection from the head towards the lower portion of the body could bereferred to as a substantially cephalad-caudal axis. Similarly, an axisrunning approximately in a direction from the back of the body to thefront of the body could be referred to as a substantiallyanterior-posterior axis.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,731 discloses a surgical refractor that “is able toform an oblique tunnel-like opening at an incision site wherein, inaddition to spreading the sides of the site incision substantiallyparallel to the contour of the patient's body, the ['731] surgicalretractor additionally spreads the incision sides so that one side isdepressed toward the patient and the other is directed outwardly fromthe patient.” However, the rotational or offset positions for the gripsmust be predetermined before use since only one amount ofanterior-posterior movement is possible during use. Furthermore, thereis no spreading of the ribs in a cephalad-caudal direction without alsohaving anterior-posterior separation. This may be undesirable since theadditional anterior-posterior separation (and its resultant stress onthe ribs) may not be needed for the entire duration of an operation.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,159,231 discloses a retractor having two racks movablyattached at a nonlinear angle. When the first rack section ishorizontally disposed, the other rack section is angled relative to thehorizontal plane. The refractor may be ratcheted apart to spreadadjacent ribs in a cephalad-caudal direction. One end of the retractormay also be lifted to spread the ribs in an anterior-posteriordirection. The lifted end, however, must be held by hand or attached toa cable anchored to a support over the patient in order to maintain theanterior-posterior separation. This either requires additional personnelin the operating room, or modifications to the operating table/ceiling,neither of which is desirable as the additional equipment may get in thesurgeon's way.

European Patent 792,620 discloses several embodiments of a rib retractorhaving adjustments to spread adjacent ribs in a cephalad-caudaldirection. These retractors also have an adjustment to lift one ribrelative to the other by contacting the patient somewhere else besidesthe ribs to create a fulcrum point for lifting leverage. Unfortunately,this additional contact point can cause additional bruising for thepatient and may be difficult to use on obese patients.

European Patent 792,620 also discloses a version of a rib retractorwhere the spreader is attached to the operating table or to someplatform which can be slid beneath the patient. This rib retractor hasadjustments for both anterior-posterior separation as well ascephalad-caudal separation. While this embodiment alleviates theunnecessary bruising of previous models, its external anchoring systemis also complex, cumbersome, and difficult to reposition.

European Patent 792,620 further discloses an embodiment of a ribretractor which spreads the ribs in a cephalad-caudal direction whilesimultaneously spreading the ribs in an anterior-posterior direction.However, like other examples from the prior art, there is no way to finetune the opening, or to have one type of separation without the other,if desired, for a portion of the operation with this one retractor.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,416,468 discloses a rib retractor which can generatecephalad-caudal separation of the ribs, as well as an uneven amount ofanterior-directed lift on the adjacent ribs. The '468 retractor has noopposing anterior-posterior rib movement. Furthermore, the '468 deviceemploys a pivot point placed against the patient's body, somewhere inaddition to the rib contact points, which can result in further bruisingand discomfort.

Therefore, there is a need for a surgical rib retractor which canprovide for varying and controlled amounts of rib separation in both acephalad-caudal direction as well as an anterior-posterior directionwithout the need for external anchors or additional fulcrum points onthe patient's body.

Surgical rib retractors may be used to displace or bend ribs in avariety of directions. Such displacement may cause certain ribs tofracture. Certain ribs are often surgically transected or even resectedto provide for more rib displacement during retraction. Increased ribmobility enables further spreading of the adjacent soft tissue toprovide greater access to the surgical site. If ribs unintentionallybreak during retraction, the fracture site may be suboptimal and haverough edges that may adversely affect healing. If one side (or plate) ofa rib can remain intact while the other side is fractured, the intactarea can act as a hinge while the opposing fracture site can provide forfurther bending of the rib during surgical retraction. The intact,hinged side of a rib can subsequently splint the opposing side of thefracture during healing. Bone fractures that occur on only one side ofthe bone, not through both sides, can occur from trauma (especially inthe pediatric population with more supple bones) or are occasionallyused in surgical procedures. This type of unilateral bony fracture isoften referred to as a “green stick fracture” or a “green stick break.”This references the type of break that can be induced in young, fresh orgreen tree limbs during controlled bending. When a green stick breakoccurs or is caused in a rib, it has a potential to be less traumaticfor the patient as compared to a complete break since the rib still hassome strength and support intact. The location of such a break mayimpact the degree of morbidity a patient experiences. For example, itwould be undesirable for a green stick break to occur too close to thejunction between the rib cartilage and the adjacent rib bone in the ribcage. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a device that caninduce a green stick break at a desired location to enable morecontrolled rib retraction. Rib retraction usually occurs in the sameplane as the ribs. To enable more aggressive anterior to posterior ribdisplacement during their surgical retraction, it may be advantageous toinduce an anterior green stick fracture on the anterior side beingdisplaced in the anterior direction and a posterior green stick fracturein the posterior side of the rib being pushed in the posteriordirection.

SUMMARY

A surgical rib cutter is disclosed. The surgical rib cutter includes ahousing defining one or more guide slots. The surgical rib cutter alsoincludes an anterior arm unit comprising an anterior effector configuredto interact with an anterior side of a rib. The surgical rib cutterfurther includes a posterior arm unit comprising a posterior effectorconfigured to interact with a posterior side of said rib. The surgicalrib cutter also has an actuator movable relative to the housing andoperationally coupled to at least one of the anterior and posterior armunits to move said at least one of the anterior and posterior arm unitswithin at least one of the one or more guide slots to create a relativemovement between the anterior and posterior arm units, said relativemovement causing one of the anterior effector or the posterior effectorto create a green stick break in said rib.

Another surgical rib cutter is disclosed. The surgical rib cutterincludes a housing defining one or more guide slots. The surgical ribcutter also includes an anterior arm unit comprising an anterioreffector having a cutting wedge and configured to interact with ananterior side of a rib. The surgical rib cutter further has a posteriorarm unit. The posterior arm unit includes a posterior effector having asupporting pad and configured to interact with a posterior side of saidrib. The posterior arm unit also includes a clearance bend configured toclear a rib retractor to allow the anterior and posterior effectors tointeract with the anterior and posterior sides, respectively, of saidrib while said rib is being retracted by the rib retractor. The surgicalrib cutter also includes an actuator movable relative to the housing andoperationally coupled to at least one of the anterior and posterior armunits to move said at least one of the anterior and posterior arm unitswithin at least one of the one or more guide slots to create a relativemovement between the anterior and posterior arm units, said relativemovement causing the cutting wedge of the anterior effector to create agreen stick break on the anterior side of said rib.

A further surgical rib cutter is disclosed. The surgical rib cutterincludes a housing defining one or more guide slots. The surgical ribcutter also includes an anterior arm unit comprising an anterioreffector having a supporting pad and configured to interact with ananterior side of a rib. The surgical rib cutter further has a posteriorarm unit. The posterior arm unit includes a posterior effector having acutting wedge and configured to interact with a posterior side of saidrib. The posterior arm unit also has a clearance bend configured toclear a rib retractor to allow the anterior and posterior effectors tointeract with the anterior and posterior sides, respectively, of saidrib while said rib is being retracted by the rib retractor. The surgicalrib retractor also includes an actuator movable relative to the housingand operationally coupled to at least one of the anterior and posteriorarm units to move said at least one of the anterior and posterior armunits within at least one of the one or more guide slots to create arelative movement between the anterior and posterior arm units, saidrelative movement causing the cutting wedge of the posterior effector tocreate a green stick break on the posterior side of said rib.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A schematically illustrates a prior art sternum retractor in use.

FIG. 1B schematically illustrates prior art handheld retractors in useduring a thoracotomy.

FIG. 2 illustrates several reference planes of a human body.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a surgical ribretractor.

FIGS. 4A-4F are front, left, right, back, top, and bottom plan views,respectively, of the surgical rib retractor of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the surgical rib retractor ofFIG. 3.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show enlarged views of the anterior and posterior armunits of the surgical rib retractor of FIG. 3 in exploded and partiallyassembled views, respectively.

FIG. 7A schematically illustrates the surgical rib retractor of FIG. 3engaging the anterior surface of a rib.

FIG. 7B schematically illustrates the surgical rib retractor of FIG. 3engaging both anterior surface of one rib and the posterior surface ofan adjacent rib.

FIG. 7C schematically illustrates the surgical rib retractor of FIG. 3spreading adjacent ribs in a posterior-anterior direction.

FIG. 7D schematically illustrates the surgical rib retractor of FIG. 3spreading adjacent ribs in an anterior-posterior direction as well as ina cephalad-caudal direction.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates adjacent ribs being spread in ananterior-posterior direction as well as in a cephalad-caudal directionby the surgical rib retractor of FIG. 3, wherein each of the adjacentribs has developed a “green stick break” on opposing sides of therespective ribs.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a surgical ribretractor.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the surgical rib retractor ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 11A schematically illustrates the surgical rib retractor of FIG. 9being pivoted between two adjacent ribs.

FIG. 11B schematically illustrates the surgical rib retractor of FIG. 9aligned with one rib and an adjacent rib.

FIG. 11C schematically illustrates the surgical rib refractor of FIG. 9spreading adjacent ribs in both a posterior-anterior direction as wellas in a cephalad-caudal direction.

FIG. 11D schematically illustrates the surgical rib retractor of FIG. 9spreading the adjacent ribs of FIG. 11C further in both aposterior-anterior direction as well as in a cephalad caudal direction.

FIG. 12 schematically illustrates adjacent ribs being spread in ananterior-posterior direction as well as in a cephalad-caudal directionby the surgical rib retractor of FIG. 9, wherein each of the adjacentribs has developed a “green stick break” on opposing sides of therespective ribs.

FIG. 13A illustrates a further embodiment of a surgical rib retractor inpartial cross-sectional view.

FIG. 13B illustrates the housing of the surgical rib refractor of FIG.13A in a non-cross-sectioned side view to highlight an embodiment ofmultiple cam surfaces.

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of a surgical rib retractor inpartial cross-sectional view.

FIGS. 15-17 illustrate a further embodiment of a surgical rib retractorand its operation.

FIG. 18A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a rib cutter, in ananterior configuration, for inducing a “green stick break” in a rib.

FIG. 18B is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rib cutter, ina posterior configuration, for inducing a “green stick break” in a rib.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the rib cutter of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 20A schematically illustrates the rib cutter of FIG. 18A, alignedto be applied to a rib retracted in an anterior direction.

FIG. 20B schematically illustrates a resultant “green stick break”created on the anterior side of the rib retracted in the anteriordirection from FIG. 20A, as caused by the rib cutter of FIG. 18A whenapplied to the rib.

FIG. 20C schematically illustrates the rib cutter of FIG. 18B, alignedto be applied to a rib retracted in a posterior direction.

FIG. 20D schematically illustrates a resultant “green stick break”created on the posterior side of the rib retracted in the posteriordirection from FIG. 20C, as caused by the rib cutter of FIG. 18B whenapplied to the rib.

FIGS. 21 and 22 schematically illustrate further embodiments of a ribcutter, in an anterior configuration, for inducing a “green stick break”in a rib.

FIG. 23 is perspective view of another embodiment of a rib cutter forinducing a “green stick break” in a rib.

It will be appreciated that for purposes of clarity and where deemedappropriate, reference numerals have been repeated in the figures toindicate corresponding features, and that the various elements in thedrawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to bettershow the features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a surgical ribretractor 66. The rib retractor 66 has a housing 68 having at least onecam surface 70. Depending on the embodiment, the housing may have avariety of shapes, including, but not limited to a substantiallycylindrical shape (as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 3) or asubstantially rectangular box shape. The cam surface 70 may have asubstantially spiral profile, as illustrated in FIG. 3, that movesaround at least a portion of the outside of the housing 68 as itstretches over at least a portion of the length of the housing 68.Depending on the embodiment, the cam surface 70 may have a substantiallyspiral profile or it may have a combination of at least one linearprofile and at least one spiral profile.

The surgical rib retractor 66 also has an anterior arm unit 72 which isconfigured to receive one rib. The anterior arm unit 72 includes ananterior arm 74 and an anterior strut 76. In this embodiment, theanterior arm 74 and the anterior strut 76 are separate pieces heldtogether by a keyed cap 78 which slides onto a corresponding portion ofthe anterior strut 76 which passes through the anterior arm 74. Theanterior strut 76 has one or more rib engaging fingers 80 which work inconjunction with an opposing protuberance 82 in order to receive saidone rib. In this embodiment, the opposing protuberance 82 is part of thestrut 76, but in other embodiments, it may be part of the arm 74.Furthermore, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the anterior arm 74 is notcoupled to the housing 68.

The anterior strut 76 is preferably flexible in order to conform to arib which it will bend in a generally anterior direction. Flexibleembodiments of the anterior strut 76 may have this flexibility due tothe elasticity of the material the strut 76 is made from. Other strut 76embodiments may have flexibility due to the strut design itself. Forexample, some strut 76 embodiments may have one or more flexure voids 84to increase the strut flexibility. Suitable strut 76 materials include,but are not limited to, metals, plastics, and other polymers.

The surgical rib retractor 66 also has a posterior arm unit 86 which isconfigured to receive an adjacent rib. The posterior arm unit 86includes a posterior arm 88 and a posterior strut 90. In thisembodiment, the posterior arm 88 and the posterior strut 90 are separatepieces held together by a pin 92 which slides into a correspondingportion of the posterior strut 90 while also engaging a portion of theposterior arm 88. The posterior strut 90 has one or more rib engagingfingers 94 which work in conjunction with an opposing protuberance 96 inorder to receive the rib. In this embodiment, the opposing protuberance96 is part of the strut 90, but in other embodiments, it may be part ofthe arm 88. Furthermore, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the posterior arm88 is coupled to the housing 68.

The posterior strut 90 is preferably flexible in order to conform to arib which it will bend in a generally posterior direction. Flexibleembodiments of the posterior strut may have this flexibility due to theelasticity of the material the strut 90 is made from. Other strut 90embodiments may have flexibility due to the strut design itself. Forexample, some strut 90 embodiments may have one or more flexure voids 98to increase the strut flexibility. Suitable strut 90 materials include,but are not limited to metals, plastics, and other polymers.

The surgical rib refractor 66 also has an actuator 100 movable relativeto the housing 68 and operationally coupled, in this embodiment, to theanterior arm unit 72. In this embodiment, the actuator 100 includes adrive screw 102 and a knob 104 coupled to the drive screw 102 forturning the drive screw 102. The anterior arm 74 of the anterior armunit 72 has a threaded portion 106 which corresponds to the threads onthe drive screw 102. As the knob 104 is turned in a first direction, thedrive screw 102 is rotated in the same first direction, and the threadedportion 106 of the anterior arm 74 will move up the drive screw 102 in agenerally anterior direction 108. As the anterior arm 74 moves up thedrive screw 102, the anterior arm 74 of the anterior arm unit 72 ismoved by the actuator 100 against the cam surface 70, creating arelative movement between the anterior arm unit 72 and the posterior armunit 86. This relative movement has at least two directional components.In this embodiment, the at least two directional components include afirst direction which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis110 of the drive screw 102. Since the cam surface 70 spirals around thehousing 68 as it moves up the housing, the second directional componentwill be in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis110 of the drive screw 102. Depending on the embodiment, and moregenerically, the at least two directional components could begeneralized by saying that the first component is parallel to a firstaxis and the second component is in a plane substantially perpendicularto the first axis.

Since there are many possible geometric descriptions and/or anatomicalreference perspectives, there are further ways the at least twodirectional components of the relative movement between the anterior armunit 72 and the posterior arm unit 86 could be described. As somenon-limiting and not necessarily mutually exclusive examples: In someembodiments, the at least two directional components may include alinear component (in this case parallel to the drive screw 102) and anarcuate component (in this case, as the anterior and posterior arm units72, 86 are rotated apart by the engagement of the anterior arm 74 withthe cam surface 70). In other embodiments, the at least two directionalcomponents may include a first direction substantially parallel to ananterior-posterior axis and a second direction substantially parallel toa cephalad-caudal axis. In further embodiments, the at least twodirectional components may include a paratransverse component(substantially parallel to the transverse plane) and a paracoronalcomponent (substantially parallel to the coronal plane). In still otherembodiments, the at least two directional components may include a firstcomponent substantially parallel to an anterior-posterior axis and asecond, parcoronal component.

The threads of drive screw 102 may be chosen by those skilled in the artto resist movement of the anterior arm 74 down the drive screw whenretracted ribs are pushing back on the refractor struts 76, 90.Furthermore, depending on the embodiment, the drive screw 102 may be asingle tap thread or multi-tap thread to provide more travel per turn ofthe knob 104. The diameter and grip of the knob 104 may also be selectedas is known by those skilled in the art to provide a desired mechanicaladvantage to the operator when turning the knob.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the anterior arm 74 is a mobile arm movablycoupled to the actuator 100 (via the drive screw 102), while theposterior arm 88 is a fixed arm coupled to the housing. Otherembodiments may have different configurations, as will be discussed inlater examples.

FIGS. 4A-4F are front, left, right, back, top, and bottom plan views,respectively, of the surgical rib retractor of FIG. 3, the elements ofwhich have been discussed above.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the surgical rib retractor ofFIG. 3. As discussed previously, the actuator 100 has knob 104 and adrive screw 102. The drive screw 102 may be threaded into thecorresponding threaded portion 106 of the anterior arm 74. This assemblycan be dropped into an opening 112 in a first end of the housing 68. Theend of the drive screw 114 opposite the knob 104 may be passed through acorresponding opening 116 in the second end of the housing 68. The endof the drive screw 114 may have a smaller diameter than the drive screw102 so that it can act in conjunction with the corresponding opening 116in the housing to help stabilize the drive screw in the housing 68. Theend of the drive screw 114 may be threaded to engage a round nut 118which sits inside a recess 120 in the bottom of the housing 68. Theposterior arm 88 is fixedly coupled to the housing 68, for example, by apin 122. Those skilled in the art will know a wide variety of alternateways that the posterior arm 88 may be fixed to the housing 68, forexample, by welding, gluing, or screwing.

A keyed portion 124 of the anterior strut 76 is passed up through anopening 126 in the anterior arm 74. The cap 78 slides onto the keyedportion 124 to keep the anterior strut 76 attached to the anterior arm74. A wide variety of alternate ways for coupling the anterior strut 76to the anterior arm 74 will be apparent to those skilled in the art andare intended to be included in the scope of the appended claims. Someembodiments may optionally have the anterior arm 74 and the anteriorstrut 76 be made as one continuous unit.

An alignment portion 128 of the posterior strut 90 is passed up throughan opening 130 in the posterior arm 88. A pin 132 is pressed into areceiving hole (not visible in this view) located behind the central ribengaging finger 94C, above the posterior arm 88 where the alignmentportion 128 engages the opening 130. The pin 132 prevents the posteriorstrut 90 from falling off of the posterior arm 88. A wide variety ofalternate ways for coupling the posterior strut 90 to the posterior arm88 will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to beincluded in the scope of the appended claims. Some embodiments mayoptionally have the posterior arm 88 and the posterior strut 90 be madeas one continuous unit.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show enlarged views of the anterior and posterior armunits of the surgical rib retractor of FIG. 3 in exploded and partiallyassembled views, respectively. In particular, FIGS. 6A and 6B show theshape of the alignment portion 128 of the posterior strut 90 withrespect to its corresponding opening 130 in the posterior arm 88.Similarly, FIGS. 6A and 6B show the shape of the keyed portion 124 ofthe anterior strut 76 with respect to its corresponding opening 126 inthe anterior arm 74. The openings 126, 130 have flared corners in thisembodiment, thereby allowing the struts 76, 90 to pivot slightly withrespect to their corresponding arms 74, 88 as schematically indicated byarrows 134, 136. This ability for the struts 76, 90 to pivot slightlywith respect to their corresponding arms 74, 88 may help the struts insome embodiments to be fit between ribs, accounting for variations inanatomy from patient to patient. In other embodiments, however, thestruts may not pivot relative to a corresponding arm.

In a real-life situation the rib retractors disclosed herein, and theirequivalents, may be used to separate two ribs in more than onedirection. The ribs would be accessed during a surgical procedure bymaking an incision between the desired ribs. FIGS. 7A-7D schematicallyillustrate how one embodiment of the rib retractor interacts with theribs. For convenience only the ribs are shown with the retractor, but itshould be understood that other tissues, blood vessels, and nerves wouldbe involved in a real-life situation.

After an incision is made between the ribs 138, 140, the surgical ribretractor 66 may be inserted in the incision. As schematicallyillustrated in FIG. 7A, opposing protuberance 96 (not visible in thisview) and the rib engaging fingers 94 of the posterior strut 90 arepositioned around one rib 138. In this embodiment, the housing 68 has awide opening 142 that allows the anterior arm 74 to swing back and forthwhile the arm 74 is lowered and not being driven against the cam surface70 by the actuator 100. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, theanterior arm 74 may be swung towards the adjacent rib 140 so that therib engaging fingers 80 and the opposing protuberance 82 of the anteriorstrut 76 are positioned around the adjacent rib 140.

Now that the posterior and anterior struts 90, 76 have received theirrespective ribs 138, 140, the actuator knob 104 may be turned, causingdrive screw 102 to move the anterior arm 74 up the drive screw 102 in afirst direction 142, as illustrated in FIG. 7C. Depending on theembodiment, the anterior arm 74 will contact the cam surface 70 rightaway or in some cases after travelling up the drive screw 102 for afirst distance. Since the rib retractor 66 is only contacting thepatient's body where the two struts 76, 90 are receiving the ribs 138,140, the travel of the anterior arm 74 up the drive screw 102 creates arelative movement between the posterior strut 90 and the anterior strut76. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 7C, the adjacent ribs 138,140are being spread in a substantially anterior-posterior direction. Onerib 138 is being bent in a generally posterior direction by theposterior strut 90, while another rib 140 is being bent in a generallyanterior direction by the anterior strut 76.

In some situations, the opening created between the ribs 138, 140 atthis point (FIG. 7C) may be large enough for some initial stages of acardiac procedure, for example, while scopes are placed, access to aparticular part of the heart is gained, and preparation of the surgicalsite is completed. However, in other situations, more access is needed,for example, when introducing a replacement heart valve into thethoracic cavity for further positioning into the heart. To increase thesize of the access opening between the ribs 138, 140, the actuator knob104 may be further turned, causing the anterior arm 74 to contact thecam surface 70 as the arm 74 moves farther up the drive screw 102, asillustrated in FIG. 7D. Since the cam surface 70 generally spiralsaround the outside of the housing 68, in addition to creating a relativemovement between the anterior strut 76 and the posterior strut 90parallel to a longitudinal axis of the drive screw 102, a relativeangular separation 144 is created as well. The angular separationcomponent can be specified as movement in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drive screw 102 in thisembodiment.

The farther the retractor 66 is opened, the more stress will be placedon the ribs 138, 140. By distributing the retraction forces between atleast two directional components, it is possible in some cases that theribs 138, 140 may not crack when under stress. In some situations,however, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 8, either or both of theposterior and anterior ribs 138, 140 may crack or break. Rib 140 is mostlikely to break 146 on the anterior side of the rib 140 since it isbeing bent in an anterior direction, but the break should not go all theway through the bone. This type of break is known as a “green stickbreak” as it mimics the behavior of a green tree branch that is bentuntil it breaks. Typically, such branches break on one side, while theother side of the branch, opposite the break, remains intact. Thus, theintact portion of the branch can act as a hinge. Conversely, rib 138 ismost likely to break 148 on the posterior side of the rib 138 since itis being bent in a posterior direction, but the break should also be agreen stick break. In cases where one or more green stick breaks 146,148 occur, the opposite facing breaks 146, 148 will tend to self-splinteach other on the adjacent ribs, which may help to improve patienthealing times and reduce post-operative pain, especially as compared toother procedures which may be dissecting an entire rib to provideadequate thoracic access. Although breaks may be likely to occur nearthe mid-point of the bent rib as illustrated in FIG. 8, in some cases,the breaks may occur over a range of locations. In such cases, in orderto avoid the uncertainty of a break location, a surgeon may wish to takemeasures to ensure the break occurs at a desired location.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a surgical ribretractor 150. The rib retractor 150 has a housing 152 having at leastone cam surface 154. Depending on the embodiment, the housing 152 mayhave a variety of shapes, including, but not limited to a substantiallycylindrical shape (as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 9) or asubstantially rectangular box shape. The cam surface 154 may have asubstantially spiral profile, as illustrated in FIG. 9, that movesaround at least a portion of the outside of the housing 152 as itstretches over at least a portion of the length of the housing 152.Depending on the embodiment, the cam surface 154 may have asubstantially spiral profile or may be a combination of a linear profileand a spiral profile.

The surgical rib retractor 150 also has an anterior arm unit 156 whichis configured to receive one rib. The anterior arm unit 156 includes ananterior arm 158 and an anterior strut 160. In this embodiment, theanterior arm 158 and the anterior strut 160 are separate pieces heldtogether by a keyed cap 162 which slides onto a corresponding portion ofthe anterior strut 160 which passes through the anterior arm 158. Theanterior strut 160 has multiple rib engaging fingers which are notvisible in this view because the rib engaging fingers are covered by ananterior shod 164. As with previous embodiments, the rib engagingfingers (covered by the shod 164) work in conjunction with an opposingprotuberance (also covered by the shod 164) in order to receive said onerib. The anterior rib engaging fingers 166 and the opposing protuberance168 may be seen in the exploded view of FIG. 10, as well as the sequenceviews of FIGS. 11A-11D, where the anterior shod 164 is not shown forclarity. In the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10, the opposing protuberance 168is part of the anterior arm 158, but in other embodiments, it may bepart of the strut 166. Furthermore, in the embodiment of FIG. 9, theanterior arm 158 is not coupled to the housing 152.

As with previous embodiments, the anterior strut 160 is preferablyflexible in order to conform to a rib which it will bend in a generallyanterior direction.

The surgical rib retractor 150 also has a posterior arm unit 170 whichis configured to receive another rib. The posterior arm unit 170includes a posterior arm 172 and a posterior strut 174. In thisembodiment, the posterior arm 172 and the posterior strut 174 areseparate pieces held together by a keyed cap 176 which slides into acorresponding portion of the posterior strut 174 which passes throughthe posterior arm 172. The posterior strut 174 has multiple rib engagingfingers which are not visible in this view because the rib engagingfingers are covered by a posterior shod 178. As with previousembodiments, the rib engaging fingers (covered by the shod 178) work inconjunction with an opposing protuberance (also covered by shod 178) inorder to receive said another rib. The posterior rib engaging fingers180 and the opposing protuberance 182 may be seen in the exploded viewof FIG. 10, as well as the sequence views of FIGS. 11A-11D, where theposterior shod 178 is not shown for clarity. In the embodiments of FIGS.9-10, the opposing protuberance is part of the posterior arm 172, but inother embodiments, it may be part of the strut 174. Furthermore, in theembodiment of FIG. 9, the posterior arm 172 is fixedly coupled to thehousing 152.

As with previous embodiments, the posterior strut 174 is preferablyflexible in order to conform to a rib which it will bend in a generallyposterior direction.

The surgical rib retractor 150 also has an actuator 184 movable relativeto the housing 152 and operationally coupled, in this embodiment, to theanterior arm unit 156. In this embodiment, the actuator 184 includes adrive screw 186 and a knob 188 coupled to the drive screw 186 forturning the drive screw 186. The anterior arm 158 of the anterior armunit 156 has a threaded portion 190 which corresponds to the threads onthe drive screw 186. As the knob 188 is turned in a first direction, thedrive screw 186 is rotated in the same first direction, and the threadedportion 190 of the anterior arm 158 will move up the drive screw 186 andagainst the cam surface 154 in a manner similar to the previousembodiments already discussed.

The threads of drive screw 186 may be chosen by those skilled in the artto resist movement of the anterior arm 158 down the drive screw 186 whenretracted ribs are pushing back on the retractor struts 160, 174.Furthermore, depending on the embodiment, the drive screw 186 may be asingle tap thread or multi-tap thread to provide more travel per turn ofthe knob 188. The diameter and grip of the knob 188 may also be selectedas is known by those skilled in the art to provide a desired mechanicaladvantage to the operator when turning the knob.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the anterior arm 158 is a mobile armmovably coupled to the actuator 184 (via the drive screw 186), while theposterior arm 172 is a fixed arm coupled to the housing 152. Otherembodiments may have different configurations, as will be discussed inlater examples.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the surgical rib retractor ofFIG. 9. As discussed previously, the actuator 184 has knob 188 and adrive screw 186. The drive screw 186 may be threaded into thecorresponding threaded portion 190 of the anterior arm 158. Thisassembly can be dropped into an opening 192 in a first end of thehousing 152. The end of the drive screw 194 opposite the knob 188 may bepassed through a corresponding opening 196 in the second end of thehousing 152. The end of the drive screw 194 may have a smaller diameterthan the drive screw 186 so that it can act in conjunction with thecorresponding opening 196 in a second end of the housing 152 to helpstabilize the drive screw in the housing 152. The end of the drive screw194 may be threaded to engage a round nut 198 which sits inside a recess200 in the bottom of the housing 152. The posterior arm 172 is fixedlycoupled to the housing 152, for example, by a pin 202. Those skilled inthe art will know a wide variety of alternate ways that the posteriorarm 172 may be fixed to the housing 152, for example, by welding,gluing, or screwing.

A keyed portion 204 of the anterior strut 160 is passed up through anopening 206 in the anterior arm 158. The cap 162 slides onto the keyedportion 204 to keep the anterior strut 160 attached to the anterior arm158. A wide variety of alternate ways for coupling the anterior strut160 to the anterior arm 158 will be apparent to those skilled in the artand are intended to be included in the scope of the appended claims.Some embodiments may optionally have the anterior arm 158 and theanterior strut 160 be made as one continuous unit.

Similarly, a keyed portion (not visible in FIG. 10 since it is pointingdownward and hidden by the rib engaging fingers 180) of the posteriorstrut 174 is passed down through an opening 208 in the posterior arm172. The cap 176 slides onto the posterior keyed portion (not visible)to keep the posterior strut 174 attached to the posterior arm 172. Asbefore, a wide variety of alternate ways for coupling the posteriorstrut 174 to the posterior arm 172 will be apparent to those skilled inthe art and are intended to be included in the scope of the appendedclaims. Some embodiments may optionally have the posterior arm 172 andthe posterior strut 174 be made as one continuous unit.

As discussed above, an anterior shod 164 may be provided to slide overat least a portion of the rib engaging fingers 166 of the anterior strut160. The shod 164 may also be configured to cover at least a portion ofthe opposing protuberance 168. Similarly, a posterior shod 178 may beprovided to slide over at least a portion of the rib engaging fingers180 of the posterior strut 174. The shod 178 may also be configured tocover at least a portion of the opposing protuberance 182.

In a real-life situation the rib retractors disclosed herein, and theirequivalents, may be used to separate two ribs in more than onedirection. The ribs would be accessed during a surgical procedure bymaking an incision between the desired ribs. FIGS. 11A-11D schematicallyillustrate how another embodiment of the rib retractor interacts withthe ribs. This embodiment of a rib retractor is similar to theembodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, however, for illustration purposes, theshods 164, 178 are not shown so that the rib engaging fingers may beseen more clearly. For convenience only the ribs are shown with theretractor, but it should be understood that other tissues, bloodvessels, and nerves would be involved in a real-life situation.

After an incision is made between the ribs 138, 140, the surgical ribretractor 150 may be inserted in the incision. As schematicallyillustrated in FIG. 11A the housing 152 is tipped so that opposingprotuberance 168 and the rib engaging fingers 166 of the anterior strut160 may begin to be positioned around one rib 140. The housing 152 maybe tilted back up, as illustrated in FIG. 11B, causing the anteriorstrut 160 to further engage the rib 140 while the opposing protuberance182 and the rib engaging fingers 180 of the posterior strut 174 slidearound the rib 138.

Now that the anterior and posterior struts 160, 174 have received theirrespective ribs 140, 138, the actuator knob 184 may be turned, causingdrive screw 186 to move the anterior arm 158 up the drive screw 186 in afirst direction 210 as illustrated in FIG. 11C. Depending on theembodiment, the anterior arm 158 will contact the cam surface 154 rightaway or in some cases after travelling up the drive screw 186 for afirst distance. Since the rib retractor 150 is only contacting thepatient's body where the two struts 160, 174 are receiving the ribs 140,138, the travel of the anterior arm 158 up the drive screw 186 creates arelative movement between the posterior strut 174 and the anterior strut160. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 11C, the adjacent ribs 138, 140are being spread in a generally anterior-posterior direction. The onerib 138 is being bent in a generally posterior direction by theposterior strut 174, while the other rib 140 is being bent in agenerally anterior direction by the anterior strut 160.

In some situations, the opening created between the ribs 138, 140 atthis point (FIG. 11C) may be large enough for some initial stages of acardiac procedure, for example, while scopes are placed, access to aparticular part of the heart is gained, and preparation of the surgicalsite is completed. However, in other situations, more access is needed,for example, when introducing a replacement heart valve into thethoracic cavity for further positioning into the heart. To increase thesize of the access opening between the ribs 138, 140, the actuator knob184 may be further turned, causing the anterior arm 158 to contact thecam surface 154 as the arm 158 moves farther up the drive screw 186, asillustrated in FIG. 11D. Since the cam surface 154 generally spiralsaround the outside of the housing 152, in addition to creating arelative movement between the anterior strut 160 and the posterior strut174 parallel to a longitudinal axis of the drive screw 186, a relativeangular separation 212 is created as well. The angular separationcomponent can be specified as movement in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drive screw 186 in thisembodiment.

The farther the retractor 150 is opened, the more stress will be placedon the ribs 138, 140. By distributing the retraction forces between atleast two directional components, it is possible in some cases that theribs 138, 140 may not crack when under stress. In some situations,however, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 12, either or both of theposterior and anterior ribs 138, 140 may crack or break. In the case ofthe anterior rib 140, the rib is most likely to break 214 on theanterior side of the rib 140 being bent in the anterior direction, butthe break should not go all the way through the bone. As discussedpreviously, this type of break is known as a “green stick break”, as itmimics the behavior of a green tree branch that is bent until it breaks.Typically, such branches break on one side, while the other side of thebranch, opposite the break remains intact. Thus, the intact portion ofthe branch can act as a hinge. In the case of the posterior rib 138, therib is most likely to break 216 on the posterior side of the rib 138being bent in the posterior direction, but the break should also be agreen stick break. In cases where one or more green stick breaks 214,216 occur, the opposite facing breaks 214, 216 will tend to self-splinteach other on the adjacent ribs, which may help to improve patienthealing times and reduce post-operative pain, especially as compared toother procedures which may be dissecting an entire rib to provideadequate thoracic access. Although breaks may be likely to occur nearthe mid-point of the bent rib as illustrated in FIG. 12, in some cases,the breaks may occur over a range of locations. In such cases, in orderto avoid the uncertainty of a break location, a surgeon may wish to takemeasures to ensure the break occurs at a desired location.

FIG. 13A illustrates a further embodiment of a surgical rib retractor218 in partial cross-sectional view front view. The retractor 218 has ahousing 220 which has two cam surfaces: anterior cam surface 222 andposterior cam surface 224. FIG. 13B illustrates the housing 220 of thesurgical rib retractor of FIG. 13A in a non-cross-sectioned right sideview to help illustrate this embodiment of multiple cam surfaces 222,224. As shown in FIG. 13A, the retractor 218 has an actuator 226comprising a drive screw 228 and a knob 230 coupled to the drive screw228 for turning the drive screw 228. In this embodiment, the drive screw228 has an anterior threaded portion 230 and a posterior threadedportion 232. The threads of the anterior and posterior threaded portions230, 232 are oriented in opposite directions.

In this embodiment, the anterior threaded portion 230 of the drive screw228 is operationally coupled to a threaded portion 234 of an anteriorarm 236. Similarly, the posterior threaded portion 232 of the drivescrew 228 is operationally coupled to a threaded portion 238 of aposterior arm 240. The anterior arm 236 is coupled to an anterior strut242, which together make an anterior arm unit which functions similarlyto anterior arm units discussed above. The posterior arm 240 is coupledto a posterior strut 244, which together make a posterior arm unit whichfunctions similarly to posterior arm units discussed above. When theknob 230 is turned, the anterior arm 236 is moved against the anteriorcam surface 222, while the posterior arm 240 is moved oppositely againstthe posterior cam surface 224. This creates a relative movement betweenthe anterior and posterior arm units. In the embodiment of FIG. 13A,neither the anterior arm 236 nor the posterior arm 240 are fixedlycoupled to the housing 220.

In many of the previous embodiments, the posterior arm of the ribretractor was fixedly coupled to the housing, while the anterior arm wasmovably coupled to a drive screw. FIG. 14, on the other hand,illustrates an embodiment of a surgical rib retractor 246, in partialcross-sectional view, where the anterior arm 248 is fixedly coupled tothe housing 250. The housing 250 defines a cam surface 252. Theretractor 246 has an actuator 254 comprising a drive screw 256 and aknob 258 coupled to the drive screw 256 for turning the drive screw 256.The drive screw 256 is operationally coupled to a threaded portion 260of the posterior arm 262. The posterior arm 262 is coupled to aposterior strut 264, which together make a posterior arm unit whichfunctions similarly to posterior arm units discussed above. The anteriorarm 248 is coupled to an anterior strut 266, which together make ananterior arm unit which functions similarly to anterior arm unitsdiscussed above. When the knob 258 is turned, the posterior arm 262 isguided by the cam surface 252. Since the anterior arm 248 is fixed tothe housing 250, this creates a relative movement between the anteriorand posterior arm units.

In previous embodiments, the anterior and posterior arm units wereconfigured to be moved relative to each other. As explained above, thisrelative movement comprises at least two directional components whichmay occur separately, concurrently, or in any combination thereof. Oneof the directional components may be in a direction substantiallyparallel to an anterior-posterior axis (or substantially parallel to alongitudinal axis of the retractor housing). Relative to this firstdirectional component, however, in the previous embodiments, theanterior strut would only be able to deflect a rib it was coupled to ina generally anterior direction. Similarly, in the previous embodiments,relative to this first directional component, the posterior strut wouldonly be able to deflect a rib it was coupled to in a generally posteriordirection. In the arena of cardiac surgery, this would mean that, oncethe previous retractor embodiments were coupled to a pair of ribs, theretractor would tend to spread those ribs in such a way that 1) theheart's aortic root was visible/accessible or 2) the heart's aortic archwas visible/accessible, but not both, depending on which direction theretractor was facing when coupled to the ribs. Furthermore, with theprevious embodiments, there is not a simple way to go back and forthbetween views of the aortic root and the aortic arch without removingthe retractor, flipping it around, and then re-actuating the retractor.

FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of a surgical rib retractor 268.In this embodiment, however, the arm units of the retractor can beactuated to make either 1) the heart's aortic root or 2) the aortic archvisible without repositioning the device on the ribs. In FIG. 15, therib retractor 268 is shown in a starting position. The retractor 268 hasa housing 270 with first and second cam surfaces 272, 274. The retractoralso has a first arm 276 and a second arm 278. A first strut 277 iscoupled to the first arm. The first arm 276 and the first strut 277 makeup a first arm unit. In some embodiments, the first arm and the firststrut may be one continuous piece, as discussed previously. A secondstrut 279 is coupled to the second arm 278. The second arm 278 and thesecond strut 279 make up a second arm unit. The first strut 277 and thesecond strut 279 are similar to the struts discussed above, but theyalso have additional features in this embodiment. For example, bothstruts 277, 279 have flexure voids 277V and 279V, respectively, whichencourage and/or enable the struts 277, 279 to be able to flex in eitheran anterior or a posterior direction. In this case, this is accomplishedby the flexure voids 277V, 279V being present on both a posterior and ananterior side of their respective struts 277, 279. In other embodiments,the strut flexibility may be enabled or enhanced by material choice asdiscussed previously. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first strut277 has a plurality of opposing protrusions 277P opposite fingers 277F.Similarly, in this embodiment, the second strut 279 has a plurality ofopposing protrusions 279P opposite fingers 279F. In this embodiment, theplurality of opposing protrusions 277P, 279P on each respective strut277, 279 can operate as fingers, depending on how the device is used, aswill be explained in more detail below.

The retractor 268 further has an actuator 280 which includes a knob 282coupled to a drive screw 284. The second arm 278 is fixedly coupled tothe housing 270. The first arm 276 has a threaded portion 286 which isoperationally coupled to the drive screw 284. As the knob 282 is turned,the first arm 276 can be moved up or down the drive screw, depending onwhich direction the knob is turned. Thus, the actuator 280 is able tocreate relative movement between the first and second arm units.

In this embodiment, the threaded portion 286 of the first arm is locatedaway from the ends of the drive screw 284 when the retractor is in astarting position, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 15. Asillustrated in FIG. 16, if the knob 282 is rotated such that the turningdrive screw 284 causes the threaded portion 286 of the first arm 276 tomove up (generally anteriorly) towards the knob 282, then the first arm276 will behave as an anterior arm (with fingers 277F pulling upward288, generally anteriorly), while the relative movement compared to thesecond arm 278 will cause the second arm 278 to behave as a posteriorarm (with the fingers 279F pushing downward 290, generally posteriorly).If the housing 270 is positioned on the sternum side of the ribs towhich the struts 277, 279 may be coupled to, then the relative movementof the arms 276, 278 in this situation will tend to allow a surgeon tolook 292 towards a patient's abdomen. In the case where the retractor isinstalled between the second and third ribs, this will tend to allow asurgeon to see/access the aortic root as schematically illustrated inFIG. 16 with a view of an aortic valve and the aortic root as might beexposed by an aortotomy.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, if the knob 282 is rotated such that theturning drive screw 284 causes the threaded portion 286 of the first arm276 to move down (generally posteriorly) away from the knob 282, thenthe first arm 276 will behave as a posterior arm (with opposingprotuberances 277P acting like fingers and pushing downward 294,generally posteriorly), while the relative movement compared to thesecond arm 278 will cause the second arm 278 to behave as an anteriorarm (with opposing protuberances 279P acting like fingers and pullingupward 296, generally anteriorly). If the housing 270 is positioned onthe sternum side of the ribs to which the struts 277, 279 may be coupledto, then the relative movement of the arms 276, 278 in this situationwill tend to allow a surgeon to look 298 towards a patient's head. Inthe case where the refractor is installed between the second and thirdribs, this will tend to allow a surgeon to see/access the aortic arch.

As described above, a surgical rib retractor may be used to displace orbend a rib in a variety of directions. Displacement in a generallyanterior or generally posterior direction may cause certain ribs tofracture on the side of the rib under tension, resulting in a “greenstick break” as discussed above. For simplicity, the example green stickbreaks shown previously have been illustrated as occurring neatly andnear the mid-point of the refractor portions which are engaging the rib.However, if a green stick break is going to form in this situation, itmay not happen as cleanly or in a desired location on the rib.Therefore, as noted in the background of this specification, it would beadvantageous to have a device which can influence the rib to form agreen stick break at a desired location while the rib is in the processof being retracted.

FIG. 18A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a surgical ribcutter 400. The rib cutter 400 has a housing 402 which defines a guideslot 404. Depending on the embodiment, the housing may have a variety ofshapes, including, but not limited to a substantially cylindrical shape(as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 18A) or a substantiallyrectangular box shape. Although the guide slot 404 runs substantiallystraight and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing 402 in thisembodiment, in other embodiments, the guide slot 404 may have asubstantially spiral profile or cam-type surface profile, similar, butnot limited to the types of cam surfaces discussed above with respect tothe retractors.

The surgical rib cutter 400 also has an anterior arm unit 406 which isconfigured to engage an anterior side of a rib. The anterior arm unit406 includes an anterior arm 408 and an anterior effector 410. In theembodiment of FIG. 18A, the anterior effector 410 comprises a cuttingwedge 412. The cutting wedge may be made from a variety of materials,including, but not limited to metal, rubber, plastic, other polymers, orany combination and/or plurality thereof. The geometry of theillustrated cutting wedge is merely one example of a suitable wedge.Those skilled in the art will understand that a variety of wedge shapesmay be used, including, but not limited to, those with pointed tips,rounded tips, blunted tips, chiseled tips, square tips, smooth edges, orserrated edges. The cutting wedge will have a shape which will encouragea rib under tension to form a green stick break in the vicinity of wherethe cutting wedge is pressed against the rib. Examples of this will bediscussed in more detail below, with respect to FIGS. 20A-20D.

In the embodiment of FIG. 18A, the anterior arm 408 and the anterioreffector 410 are separate pieces pivotably held together by a pivot pin414. In other embodiments, the anterior arm 408 and the anterioreffector 410 may be formed as a continuous piece. For embodiments wherethe anterior arm 408 and the anterior effector 410 are separate pieces,however, the anterior arm 408 and the anterior effector 410 do notnecessarily have to have a pivoting connection.

The surgical rib retractor 400 also has a posterior arm unit 416 whichis configured to engage a posterior side of the same rib. The posteriorarm unit 416 includes a posterior arm 418 and a posterior effector 420.In the embodiment of FIG. 18A, the posterior effector 420 comprises asupporting pad 422. The supporting pad 422 may be made from a variety ofmaterials, including, but not limited to metal, rubber, plastic, otherpolymers, or any combination and/or plurality thereof. The posterior arm418 may have a clearance bend 424 in order to allow the cutter 400 to bepositioned around one or more portions of a rib retractor, while thatrib retractor is in use. To that end, the description of the posterioreffector 420 as being configured to engage a posterior side of the ribshould be interpreted as including, but not necessarily limited to,situations where the posterior effector 420 is in direct or indirectcontact with the posterior side of the rib. In some situations, theposterior effector 420 may contact a portion of a rib retractor which isengaging the rib. Similarly, the description of the anterior effector410 as being configured to engage an anterior side of the rib should beinterpreted as including, but not necessarily limited to, situationswhere the anterior effector 410 is in direct or indirect contact withthe anterior side of the rib.

In the embodiment of FIG. 18A, the posterior arm 418 and the posterioreffector 420 are separate pieces pivotably held together by a pivot pin426. In other embodiments, the posterior arm 418 and the posterioreffector 420 may be formed as a continuous piece. For embodiments wherethe posterior arm 418 and the posterior effector 420 are separatepieces, however, the posterior arm 418 and the posterior effector 420 donot necessarily have to have a pivoting connection.

The surgical rib cutter 400 also has an actuator 428 movable relative tothe housing 402 and operationally coupled, in this embodiment, to theanterior arm unit 406. In this embodiment, the actuator 428 includes adrive screw 430 and a knob 432 coupled to the drive screw 430 forturning the drive screw 430. The anterior arm 408 of the anterior armunit 406 has a threaded portion 434 which corresponds to the threads onthe drive screw 430. As the knob 432 is turned in a first direction, thedrive screw 430 is rotated in the same first direction, and the threadedportion 434 of the anterior arm 408 will move down the drive screw 430in a generally posterior direction 436. FIGS. 20A-20B will laterillustrate how this can be useful when paired with a rib retractor.

In the embodiment of FIG. 18A, the anterior arm 408 is a mobile armmovably coupled to the actuator 428 (via the drive screw 430), while theposterior arm 418 is a fixed arm coupled to the housing 402. Otherembodiments may have different configurations, as will be discussed inlater examples.

The threads of drive screw 430 may be chosen by those skilled in the artto resist movement of the anterior arm 408 up the drive screw 430 when arib is being compressed between the anterior and posterior effectors.Furthermore, depending on the embodiment, the drive screw 430 may be asingle tap thread or multi-tap thread to provide more travel per turn ofthe knob 432. The diameter and grip of the knob 432 may also be selectedas is known by those skilled in the art to provide a desired mechanicaladvantage to the operator when turning the knob 432.

In the embodiment of FIG. 18A, the anterior effector 410 comprises acutting wedge 412, while the posterior effector 420 comprises asupporting pad 422. Such a configuration may be used to create a greenstick break on an anterior side of a rib. The embodiment of FIG. 18B,however, can be used to create a green stick break on a posterior sideof a rib.

FIG. 18B is a perspective view of another embodiment of a surgical ribcutter 438. The rib cutter 438 has a housing 440 which defines a guideslot 442. Depending on the embodiment, the housing 440 may have avariety of shapes, including, but not limited to a substantiallycylindrical shape (as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 18B) or asubstantially rectangular box shape. Although the guide slot 442 runssubstantially straight and parallel to a longitudinal axis of thehousing 440 in this embodiment, in other embodiments, the guide slot 442may have a substantially spiral profile or cam-type surface profile,similar, but not limited to the types of cam surfaces discussed abovewith respect to the retractors.

The surgical rib cutter 438 also has an anterior arm unit 444 which isconfigured to engage an anterior side of a rib. The anterior arm unit444 includes an anterior arm 446 and an anterior effector 448. In theembodiment of FIG. 18B, the anterior effector 448 comprises a supportingpad 450. The supporting pad 450 may be made from a variety of materials,including, but not limited to metal, rubber, plastic, other polymers, orany combination and/or plurality thereof. In this embodiment, theanterior arm 446 and the anterior effector 448 are separate piecespivotably held together by a pivot pin 452. In other embodiments, theanterior arm 446 and the anterior effector 448 may be formed ascontinuous piece. For embodiments where the anterior arm 446 and theanterior effector 448 are separate pieces, however, the anterior arm 446and the anterior effector 448 do not necessarily have to have a pivotingconnection.

In the embodiment of FIG. 18B, the anterior effector 448 is configuredto engage an anterior side of a rib. This should be interpreted asincluding, but not necessarily limited to, situations where the anterioreffector 448 is in direct or indirect contact with the anterior side ofthe rib. In some situations, the anterior effector 448 may contact aportion of a rib retractor which is engaging the rib.

The surgical rib cutter 438 also has a posterior arm unit 454 which isconfigured to engage a posterior side of the same rib. The posterior armunit 454 includes a posterior arm 456 and a posterior effector 458. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 18B, the posterior effector 458 comprises acutting wedge 460. The geometry of the illustrated cutting wedge 460 ismerely one example of a suitable wedge. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that a variety of wedge shapes may be used, including, butnot limited to, those with pointed tips, rounded tips, blunted tips,chiseled tips, square tips, smooth edges, or serrated edges. Theposterior arm 456 may have a clearance bend 462 in order to allow thecutter 438 to be positioned around one or more portions of a ribretractor, while that rib retractor is in use. The cutting wedge 460will have a shape which will encourage a rib under tension to form agreen stick break in the vicinity of where the cutting wedge is pressedagainst the rib. As previously noted, examples of this will be discussedin more detail below, with respect to FIGS. 20A-20D.

In this embodiment, the posterior arm 456 and the posterior effector 458are separate pieces pivotably held together by a pivot pin 464. In otherembodiments, the posterior arm 456 and the posterior effector 458 may beformed as continuous piece. For embodiments where the posterior arm 456and the posterior effector 458 are separate pieces, the posterior arm456 and the posterior effector 458 do not necessarily have to have apivoting connection.

The surgical rib cutter 438 also has an actuator 466 movable relative tothe housing 440 and operationally coupled, in this embodiment, to theanterior arm unit 444. In this embodiment, the actuator 466 includes adrive screw 468 and a knob 470 coupled to the drive screw 468 forturning the drive screw 468. The anterior arm 446 of the anterior armunit 444 has a threaded portion 472 which corresponds to the threads onthe drive screw 468. As the knob 470 is turned in a first direction, thedrive screw 468 is rotated in the same first direction, and the threadedportion 472 of the anterior arm 446 will move down the drive screw 468in a generally posterior direction 474. FIGS. 20C-20D will laterillustrate how this can be useful when paired with a rib retractor.

In the embodiment of FIG. 18B, the anterior arm 446 is a mobile armmovably coupled to the actuator 466 (via the drive screw 468), while theposterior arm 456 is a fixed arm coupled to the housing 440. Otherembodiments may have different configurations, as will be discussed inlater examples.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the surgical rib cutter ofFIG. 18A, the elements of which have been discussed above. As discussedpreviously, in this embodiment, the actuator 428 includes a knob 432 anda drive screw 430. The drive screw 430 may be threaded into thecorresponding threaded portion 434 of the anterior arm 408. Thisassembly can be dropped into an opening 476 in a first end of thehousing 402. The end of the drive screw 478 opposite the knob 432 may bepassed through a corresponding opening 480 in the second end of thehousing 402. The end of the drive screw 478 may have a smaller diameterthan the drive screw 430 so that it can act in conjunction with thecorresponding opening 480 in the housing 402 to help stabilize the drivescrew 430 in the housing 402. The end of the drive screw 478 may bethreaded to engage a round nut 482 which sits inside a recess 484 (notvisible in this view) in the bottom of the housing 402. The posteriorarm 418 is a continuous extension of the housing 402 in this embodiment.A first pin 414 is used to couple the anterior effector 410 to theanterior arm 408. Similarly, a second pin 426 is used to couple theposterior effector 420 to the posterior arm 418.

FIGS. 20A and 20B demonstrate the rib cutter 400 from FIG. 18A beingused in conjunction with an embodiment of a rib retractor 66, thefeatures of which have been discussed above. The ribs 138, 140 areengaged by the posterior strut 90 and the anterior strut 76,respectively, of the retractor 66. As a result, in addition to otherpossible directional components, the rib 138 is being pushed in agenerally posterior direction 486. Similarly, in addition to otherpossible directional components, the rib 140 is being pulled in agenerally anterior direction 488. The rib cutter 400 has been positionedaround the rib 140 (the clearance bend 424 facilitating positioningdespite the presence of the anterior retractor strut 76) so that thesupporting pad 422 of the posterior effector 420 is aligned forengagement with the posterior side of the rib 140. In some embodiments,this engagement may be directly with the posterior side of the rib 140.In other embodiments, this engagement may be indirect, for example, insituations where the supporting pad 422 is positioned against the strut76 which is pulling on the rib 140. The cutting wedge 412 of theanterior effector 410 is aligned for engagement with the anterior sideof the rib 140. Preferably, this alignment is at a point of highesttension on the outer bend of the rib 140, however, other positions couldbe used.

As illustrated in FIG. 20B, the knob 432 is rotated to cause relativemovement between the posterior effector 420 and the anterior effector410 such that they move towards each other. The cutting wedge 412 willcontact the rib 140 as the supporting pad 422 provides a backstop. Asthe knob 432 is further turned, the cutting wedge 412 will create a lineof pressure against the portion of the rib 140 which is under tension,causing a green stick break 490 to form on the anterior side of the rib140 near to the location of the cutting wedge 412.

FIGS. 20C and 20D demonstrate the rib cutter 438 from FIG. 18B beingused in conjunction with an embodiment of a rib retractor 66, thefeatures of which have been discussed above. The ribs 138, 140 areengaged by the posterior strut 90 and the anterior strut 76,respectively, of the retractor 66. As a result, in addition to otherpossible directional components, the rib 138 is being pushed in agenerally posterior direction 486. Similarly, in addition to otherpossible directional components, the rib 140 is being pulled in agenerally anterior direction 488. The rib cutter 438 has been positionedaround the rib 138 (the clearance bend 462 facilitating positioningdespite the presence of the posterior retractor strut 90) so that thesupporting pad 450 of the anterior effector 448 is aligned forengagement with the anterior side of the rib 138. In some embodiments,this engagement may be directly with the anterior side of the rib 138.In other embodiments, this engagement may be indirect, for example, insituations where the supporting pad 450 is positioned against the strut90 which is pushing on the rib 138. The cutting wedge 460 of theposterior effector 458 is aligned for engagement with the posterior sideof the rib 138. Preferably, this alignment is at a point of highesttension on the outer bend of the rib 138, however, other positions couldbe used.

As illustrated in FIG. 20D, the knob 470 is rotated to cause relativemovement between the posterior effector 458 and the anterior effector448 such that they move towards each other. The cutting wedge 460 willcontact the rib 138 as the supporting pad 450 provides a backstop. Asthe knob 470 is further turned, the cutting wedge 460 will create a lineof pressure against the portion of the rib 138 which is under tension,causing a green stick break 492 to form on the posterior side of the rib138 near to the location of the cutting wedge 460.

In the previous rib cutter embodiments, the posterior arm of the ribcutter was fixedly coupled to the housing, while the anterior arm wasmovably coupled to a drive screw. FIG. 21, on the other hand,illustrates an embodiment of a surgical rib cutter 494, in partialcross-sectional view, where the anterior arm 496 is fixedly coupled tothe housing 498. The housing 498 defines a guide slot 500. The cutter494 has an actuator 502 comprising a drive screw 504 and a knob 506coupled to the drive screw 504 for turning the drive screw 504. Thedrive screw 504 is operationally coupled to a threaded portion 508 ofthe posterior arm 510. Like some of the previous embodiments, theposterior arm 510 comprises a clearance bend 512. The posterior arm 510is coupled to a posterior effector 514. The posterior effector 514 isillustrated in this embodiment as comprising a supporting pad 516. Inother embodiments, the posterior effector might comprise a wedge cutterinstead. The anterior arm 496 is coupled to an anterior effector 518which, in this example, comprises a wedge cutter 520. In otherembodiments, the anterior effector 518 might comprise a supporting pad,instead. When the knob 506 is turned, the posterior arm 510 may be drawntowards the knob 506. Since the anterior arm 496 is fixed to the housing498, this creates a relative movement between the anterior and posteriorarm units.

FIG. 22 illustrates a further embodiment of a surgical rib cutter 522 inpartial cross-sectional view front view. The rib cutter 522 has ahousing 524 which defines a guide slot 526. The cutter 522 has anactuator 528 comprising a drive screw 530 and a knob 532 coupled to thedrive screw 530 for turning the drive screw 530. In this embodiment, thedrive screw 530 has an anterior threaded portion 534 and a posteriorthreaded portion 536. The threads of the anterior and posterior threadedportions 534, 536 are oriented in opposite directions.

In this embodiment, the anterior threaded portion 534 of the drive screw530 is operationally coupled to a threaded portion 538 of an anteriorarm 540. Similarly, the posterior threaded portion 536 of the drivescrew 530 is operationally coupled to a threaded portion 542 of aposterior arm 544. The anterior arm 540 is coupled to an anterioreffector 546, which comprises a cutting wedge 548 in this embodiment.The posterior arm 544 is coupled to a posterior effector 550, whichcomprises a supporting pad 552 in this embodiment. When the knob 532 isturned, the anterior arm 540 and the posterior arm 544 can move towardseach other or away from each other, depending on the direction of knob532 rotation.

Referring temporarily back to FIGS. 18A and 18B, it can be seen that twodifferent configurations of surgical rib cutters 400 and 438 may beneeded to create a green stick break, depending on whether an anteriorgreen stick break or a posterior green stick break is desired. In somescenarios, this can mean that two different rib cutter devices will needto be available to a surgeon during an operation. Those skilled in theart, however, will see that other embodiments of a surgical rib cuttermay be configured so that the anterior and posterior effectors may beswapped. This would enable a single rib cutter to be used to createanterior or posterior green stick breaks, depending on how the effectorsare installed.

As noted above, the rib cutter's effector which comprises a supportingpad is being used as a backstop, rather than as a cutting surface. Asalso noted, however, the effector acting as a supporting pad may notalways be directly in contact with the rib it is backstopping. As justone example, if the rib retractor being used with the cutter has anearly continuous set of strut fingers, then the rib cutter's effectorwhich is acting as a supporting pad will be directly contacting theretractor, and not the rib, on the side opposite the effector intendedto create the green stick break. Such a situation makes possible afurther embodiment of a surgical rib cutter 554 as illustrated in FIG.23. In this embodiment, both the posterior effector 556 and the anterioreffector 558 of the rib cutter 554 comprise cutting wedges 560 and 562,respectively. Either effector 556, 558 may be used to contact a firstside of a rib in a location intended to create a green stick break,while the other effector would contact the fingers of the rib retractor.The fingers of the rib retractor would protect the second side of therib from the cutting wedge on that side of the rib. The other elementsof the rib cutter 554 are similar to the embodiments above and have beendiscussed previously.

Various advantages of a surgical rib cutter have been discussed above.Embodiments discussed herein have been described by way of example inthis specification. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatthe forgoing detailed disclosure is intended to be presented by way ofexample only, and is not limiting. Various alterations, improvements,and modifications will occur and are intended to those skilled in theart, though not expressly stated herein. These alterations,improvements, and modifications are intended to be suggested hereby, andare within the spirit and the scope of the claimed invention. As oneexample, although a knob and drive screw were used as examples ofactuators herein, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art thatother types of actuators may be used to create a similar relativemovement between the posterior and anterior arm units. As somenon-limiting examples, other actuators may include, but are not limitedto, a ratchet mechanism, a geared mechanism, a levered mechanism, amotorized mechanism, or any combination and/or plurality thereof.Additionally, the recited order of processing elements or sequences, orthe use of numbers, letters, or other designations therefore, is notintended to limit the claims to any order, except as may be specified inthe claims. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the followingclaims and equivalents thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical rib cutter, comprising: a housingdefining one or more guide slots; an anterior arm unit comprising ananterior effector configured to interact with an anterior side of a rib;a posterior arm unit comprising a posterior effector configured tointeract with a posterior side of said rib; and an actuator movablerelative to the housing and operationally coupled to at least one of theanterior and posterior arm units to move said at least one of theanterior and posterior arm units within at least one of the one or moreguide slots to create a relative movement between the anterior andposterior arm units, said relative movement causing one of the anterioreffector or the posterior effector to create a green stick break in saidrib.
 2. The surgical rib cutter of claim 1, wherein: the anterioreffector comprises a cutting wedge; and the posterior effector comprisesa supporting pad.
 3. The surgical rib cutter of claim 1, wherein: theanterior effector comprises a supporting pad; and the posterior effectorcomprises a cutting wedge.
 4. The surgical rib cutter of claim 1,wherein: the anterior effector comprises a first cutting wedge; and theposterior effector comprises a second cutting wedge.
 5. The surgical ribcutter of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a substantiallycylindrical shape.
 6. The surgical rib cutter of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the one or more guide slots, defined by the housing, is aguide slot substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing.7. The surgical rib cutter of claim 1, wherein the anterior arm unitfurther comprises an anterior arm.
 8. The surgical rib cutter of claim7, wherein the anterior arm and the anterior effector are continuous. 9.The surgical rib cutter of claim 7, wherein the anterior arm comprises amobile arm movably coupled to the actuator.
 10. The surgical rib cutterof claim 7, wherein the anterior arm comprises a fixed arm coupled tothe housing.
 11. The surgical rib cutter of claim 7, wherein theanterior effector is pivotably coupled to the anterior arm.
 12. Thesurgical rib cutter of claim 1, wherein the posterior arm unit furthercomprises a posterior arm.
 13. The surgical rib cutter of claim 12,wherein the posterior arm and the posterior effector are continuous. 14.The surgical rib cutter of claim 12, wherein the posterior arm comprisesa mobile arm movably coupled to the actuator.
 15. The surgical ribcutter of claim 12, wherein the posterior arm comprises a fixed armcoupled to the housing.
 16. The surgical rib cutter of claim 12, whereinthe posterior effector is pivotably coupled to the posterior arm. 17.The surgical rib cutter of claim 12, wherein the posterior arm comprisesa clearance bend configured to clear a rib retractor to allow theanterior and posterior effectors to interact with the anterior andposterior sides, respectively, of the rib while the rib is beingretracted by the rib retractor.
 18. The surgical rib cutter of claim 1,wherein the actuator comprises: a drive screw; and a knob coupled to thedrive screw for turning the drive screw.
 19. A surgical rib cutter,comprising: a) a housing defining one or more guide slots; b) ananterior arm unit comprising an anterior effector having a cutting wedgeand configured to interact with an anterior side of a rib; c) aposterior arm unit comprising: 1) a posterior effector having asupporting pad and configured to interact with a posterior side of saidrib; and 2) a clearance bend configured to clear a rib retractor toallow the anterior and posterior effectors to interact with the anteriorand posterior sides, respectively, of said rib while said rib is beingretracted by the rib retractor; and d) an actuator movable relative tothe housing and operationally coupled to at least one of the anteriorand posterior arm units to move said at least one of the anterior andposterior arm units within at least one of the one or more guide slotsto create a relative movement between the anterior and posterior armunits, said relative movement causing the cutting wedge of the anterioreffector to create a green stick break on the anterior side of said rib.20. A surgical rib cutter, comprising: a) a housing defining one or moreguide slots; b) an anterior arm unit comprising an anterior effectorhaving a supporting pad and configured to interact with an anterior sideof a rib; c) a posterior arm unit comprising: 1) a posterior effectorhaving a cutting wedge and configured to interact with a posterior sideof said rib; and 2) a clearance bend configured to clear a rib retractorto allow the anterior and posterior effectors to interact with theanterior and posterior sides, respectively, of said rib while said ribis being retracted by the rib retractor; and d) an actuator movablerelative to the housing and operationally coupled to at least one of theanterior and posterior arm units to move said at least one of theanterior and posterior arm units within at least one of the one or moreguide slots to create a relative movement between the anterior andposterior arm units, said relative movement causing the cutting wedge ofthe posterior effector to create a green stick break on the posteriorside of said rib.